Thanks ironass for your response.
Just to confirm: even though there is a boatload of info in settings, (model number, android version, baseband version, kernel version three lines long, build number, SELlinux status), this does not always convey the same information that appears after the dialer code *#1234# ?
That is the only way to obtain the CSC, (Consumer Software Customisation code), region/carrier code mentioned in post
#11 for global models. It is the code that Samsung engineers use to determine the precise firmware for a phone.
Here is just one example below and is for the International,
GT-i9505, firmware for Brazil. The firmwares are identical except that one is for the carrier branded
Claro, another is for
TIM, another is for
Oi and the other for
VIVO. Flashing the wrong firmware will prevent future updates via Kies or OTA and can invalidate the warranty.
Model: GT-I9505
Country: Brazil (Claro)
Version: Android 4.3
Changelist: 2210919
Build date: Wed, 27 Nov 2013 16:20:26 +0000
Product Code: ZTA
PDA: I9505VJUEMKE
CSC: I9505ZTAEMKE
MODEM: I9505VJUEMKE
Model: GT-I9505
Country: Brazil (VIVO)
Version: Android 4.3
Changelist: 2210919
Build date: Wed, 27 Nov 2013 16:20:26 +0000
Product Code: ZVV
PDA: I9505VJUEMKE
CSC: I9505ZVVEMKE
MODEM: I9505VJUEMKE
Model: GT-I9505
Country: Brazil (TIM)
Version: Android 4.3
Changelist: 2210919
Build date: Wed, 27 Nov 2013 16:20:26 +0000
Product Code: ZTM
PDA: I9505VJUEMKE
CSC: I9505ZTMEMKE
MODEM: I9505VJUEMKE
Model: GT-I9505
Country: Brazil (Oi)
Version: Android 4.3
Changelist: 2210919
Build date: Wed, 27 Nov 2013 16:20:26 +0000
Product Code: ZTR
PDA: I9505VJUEMKE
CSC: I9505ZTREMKE
MODEM: I9505VJUEMKE
As you can see, both their PDA and Modem, (baseband), codes are identical as is their Android version, kernel build and all other information. The only thing that tells you the difference between these 4 firmwares is the CSC code which is found by going into the dial pad, as mentioned. Asking the posters carrier is not really an option as they could have a non carrier branded, Brazilian, (or other), model.
Below is a list of firmwares that appear if I enter the specific phone build model,
i9505, the area, South America, (
VJU), and even the specific Android 4.3 Build number (E)
MKE. The only thing separating these firmwares is the CSC code...
Contrast the above with, say, the U.S. variant for the carrier
Cricket which is model number
SCH-R970C...
So long as the
full model number is entered there is no question as to the firmware or a need for a CSC code.
If, I instead, enter
SCH-R970, which is the
US Cellular model number the firmware is shown as distinctly separate from the
Cricket,
SCH-970C and the
C Spire,
SCH-R970X, (shown as Unknown in this example!).
So, as you can see, the CSC code is not important on these minority variants as the model number is in essence, the CSC code which is only shown by entering
*#1234# into the dial pad.
I blooming well hope that that answers your question
electricpete!